Skip to content

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria and is spread by ticks when they suck blood. Sometimes the disease can spread to the joints or nervous system. Here you can read more about symptoms and treatment.

Borrelia test

Borrelia test

Borrelia antibody test

695 kr

10% discount on testmottagningen.se with the code: PÅSK2026 Health checks for increased well-being


Quick version

Common Causes of Borrelia Infection:

  • Tick Bites: The most common cause of Borrelia infection is bites from infected ticks. Borrelia bacteria are present in the saliva of ticks and can be transmitted to humans when ticks bite and attach to the skin. This is particularly common during the warmer months when ticks are active.

  • Untreated Infected Ticks: If an infected tick is not removed within a day or two after the bite, the risk of Borrelia bacteria being transmitted to humans increases. Therefore, early and proper tick removal is essential.

  • Geographic Location: The risk of contracting Borrelia can vary depending on where you live or visit. Some areas have a higher prevalence of Borrelia-infected ticks, increasing the risk in those regions.

  • Insufficient Preventive Measures: People who do not take precautions when spending time outdoors in areas where ticks are common have an increased risk of infection. Using tick repellents and wearing protective clothing can reduce the risk.

  • Lack of Awareness: Insufficient knowledge about Borrelia and its transmission can lead to an increased risk of infection, as people may not take adequate precautions.

It is important to be aware of these causes and take preventive measures to minimize the risk of Borrelia infection.

Borrelia Symptoms

Here are some common and potential symptoms of Borrelia infection:

Skin Symptoms:

  • A characteristic sign of Borrelia is a red, ring-like skin rash known as "erythema migrans." It can be flat or raised and may expand over time.

  • Skin rashes that may vary in shape and color.

  • Itching or a burning sensation on the skin.

General Symptoms:

  • Fever and chills.

  • Headache and muscle aches.

  • Fatigue and a general feeling of illness.

  • Sore throat.

Neurological Symptoms:

  • Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) with symptoms such as headache, neck stiffness, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Facial paralysis (Bells palsy).

  • Tingling and numbness in the arms and legs.

Joint Pain:

  • Joint pain and swelling, especially in large joints like knees.

  • Joint inflammation, which may develop gradually.

Heart Problems:

  • In rare cases, Borrelia can infect the heart and cause symptoms such as irregular heartbeat or chest pain.

It is important to note that Borrelia symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses, making diagnosis sometimes challenging.

Borrelia Treatment

Treatment for Borrelia infection typically involves the use of antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications of Borrelia. Here are some common aspects of treatment:

  • Oral antibiotics: Most cases of Borrelia are successfully treated with oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. The choice of antibiotic and the duration of treatment may vary depending on the patient's age, symptoms, and the stage of the infection. Treatment can last for several weeks.

  • Intravenous antibiotics: In some cases, especially if Borrelia infection has caused severe neurological symptoms or heart problems, intravenous antibiotic treatment may be necessary. Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic commonly used for intravenous treatment.

  • Pain Relief: For joint pain, pain relief in the form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to alleviate discomfort.

  • Rehabilitation: In chronic cases of Borrelia, rehabilitation may be necessary to manage long-lasting symptoms and help the patient regain lost function.

Questions and answers

The hallmark sign is erythema migrans, a red rash that often looks like a "bullseye" or a growing ring. It can be flat or raised and may sometimes feel itchy or burning.

If Borrelia spreads, it can cause "flu-like" symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue. More serious signs include facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), joint swelling (often in the knees), and in rare cases, irregular heartbeat.

Treatment involves antibiotics. Most cases are successfully treated with oral antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin. For severe neurological or cardiac symptoms, intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be necessary.

Related tests and health checks


Borrelia test

Borrelia test

Borrelia antibody test
Information

Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

  • Test if Lyme disease is suspected
  • Analysis of antibodies against Lyme disease
  • Analysis of both IgM and IgG

695 kr


Borrelia test

Borrelia test

Borrelia antibody test
Information

Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

  • Test if Lyme disease is suspected
  • Analysis of antibodies against Lyme disease
  • Analysis of both IgM and IgG

695 kr

Other symptoms

Cart

The basket is empty.

Hos oss får du tillgång till Sveriges bredaste utbud av blodprov, hälsokontroller och MR – med läkare som alltid granskar dina provsvar.

Select tests


Sampling fee
Total
Sampling fee?

The sample collection fee is a fixed cost that refers to the visit to the clinic where you submit your sample. The fee is not affected by how many tests you have ordered, but varies depending on the order value:

Free sampling fee

For purchases over 1 000 SEK, the sampling fee is included.